Northwest Business.

Classes Shed Light On New Workplace-injury Rules

December 18, 2000|By Krystyna Slivinski. Special to the Tribune.

Elgin Community College will offer employee safety training classes to address new Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines that take effect Jan. 14 and require employers to take corrective action whenever there is a workplace injury.

In the past, companies had to report injuries, but they were not required to provide safety training.

"The new ruling has some teeth to it," said Susan Moylan, director of the college's Business and Industry Center.

Last year, the college offered 400 employee training classes on a variety of topics to 116 companies. More than 2,500 employees attended the classes. About 20 percent of the workers took safety training classes, which the college expects to grow in demand because of the new OSHA rules, Moylan said.

On-site, customized safety training classes for large groups or companies are offered. For such training, the college works with specialists on preventing workplace injuries from repetitive motion, heavy lifting and loud noise.

Classes can be tailored to such topics as ladder safety, forklift, electrical or welding safety and respiratory protection.

"The company needs to determine what the problem is, then they can call us and we'll come up with the training," Moylan said.

A corporate consultant can visit a company to determine what kind of training will best suit employees

Companies seeking customized training can offset costs through a state grant that provides funding for up to half the total fee. For more information, call 847-622-3051.